Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 405 The Stallone Brothers

"Hey, so much money," Ronald sighed, and signed his name on the check.

Taxes will be paid next month. I have made a lot of money in the past year, but there are not many items that can avoid taxation. I have to take out a large amount of cash and turn it over to the IRS. Ronald's cash is starting to be tight.

Fortunately, the lyrics of "Famous Around the World" and the new period of royalties for "Word Star Book for Dummies" have already arrived, so I can take a break, otherwise I will sell the stock.

After reconciling taxes with accountant Lawrence Wang and signing checks, Ronald went to CAA to talk to Nisita about new projects.The income in the film and television industry is relatively high, but it is also unstable, and you have to take jobs in order to make a living.

"Good news, Stallone wants you to write the script. He's working on a 'First Blood' sequel."

"Oh? Didn't he like my script?" Ronald was a little surprised when he heard that it was Stallone's invitation.

"He is still satisfied with your script, otherwise he would not modify it on your basis. He just likes to highlight his star status."

"Okay, what's the movie called? Second Blood?"

"It's funny," Nishita said, but there was no smile on his face, knowing that Ronald was not happy with Stallone's revision of his "Flying and Flying" script.

"Stallone's bid is fine, $[-] plus the second signature. I came to see you because you want to accept a script job recently. You know that I, a fellow Italian, Sly, is not very talkative. Mr. Ovitz's project proposal was also rejected. He refuted it, if you are not happy, then say it earlier, and I will go find someone else."

"Okay, okay, I'm just complaining in front of you." Ronald took over the outline of the story in Nisita's hand and read it. .

"Rambo: First Blood Part Two" Ronald looked at the name, and it turned out that it used the way of Raiders of the Lost Ark. After the first part started, the second part directly added the name of the protagonist Indiana Jones to become series of movies.

The story written by Stallone is very simple. Rambo was locked in prison. Later, America and Vietnam ceased the war. Some prisoners of war were not released. His old boss, the colonel, asked him to secretly rescue his comrades in arms.

"Hey, this is not in the same tune as the first part." Ronald was amused. The exposure of the scars of the Vietnam War in the first part of First Blood and the society's indifference to Vietnam veterans were all abandoned and replaced by Use the hero Rambo to break into the tiger's lair alone and rescue the prisoner of war veterans abandoned by the country.

"You know, after the Grand Commander took office, he was very tough with the outside world, and he visited China again, continuing the grand strategy of uniting China to resist the Soviet Union. So people gradually began to have a good impression of tough heroes. Sly thinks that it can develop in that direction, Besides, the producer is a party-like conservative."

"OK", Ronald accepted the synopsis, this time I will write a little slower, and I have to deal with the film distribution.

"No problem, Stallone gave you three months, of course you'd better write faster."

Nisita handed over the document again, "This is the idea of ​​the studio Carolco Films. They want Stallone to partner with John Travolta. This time it is a story of two heroes. Rambo is in charge of fighting, and Travolta will play the partner. Responsible for high-tech weapons, write the battle scenes beautifully, don’t be afraid of insufficient budget, this time we raised more than 500 million.”

"Of course." Ronald knew in his heart that if the "Flying Dragon" directed by Stallone and starring Travolta is a big hit at the box office, then it will be a big gimmick for them to cooperate again and appear on the scene at the same time. Rocco Films certainly didn't want to give up such a golden partner, and a big production should be done.

"In addition, your visit to 'Dragon, Flying and Phoenix Dance' has also been arranged. It just so happens that their filming is nearing completion, and a reporter is going to cover it, so you just go to catch the heat."

"Thank you, I really don't know what to do without you." Ronald thought to himself, if he didn't answer, would he not have this opportunity?
"You should return to the mainstream film industry as soon as possible. At that time, there will be professionals who will spend a lot of money to help you solve these things." Nisita also feels that if the return on investment of Ronald's film is good again this time, then there will be a lot of money. Many people will come to invite.

Two consecutive films with different themes, different budgets, and different production models have made money, so Ronald can be said to be a wizard worthy of long-term investment.

The big studios will give him one or two medium-sized productions to practice his skills. If he can control the big scene, or get the performance of a big star, then he can safely give him a big production of more than 500 million, and make him a Hollywood gold-absorbing machine.

"Ronald, you are welcome." Stallone shouted at the studio of Flying Phoenix and stopped shooting. After seeing Ronald who came to visit the set, he stretched out his arms and hugged him.

The staffing of large productions is also the best. Stallone handed over the guide tube to the first assistant director, and has his own professional personnel to direct the lighting and positioning of the next scene. He is only responsible for directing the performance part.

"This is my brother Frank, and this is Cynthia Rhodes." Stallone introduced several leading actors on the set to Ronald.

Ronald said hello to his younger brother Frank Stallone. Cynthia was an old acquaintance of his "Lightning Dance" crew, and he introduced Stallone to audition here. He did not expect to get the female number one.

"Hi, hello Ronald, I heard Cynthia keep talking about you." Frank Stallone put his arm around Cynthia and said to Ronald.

"I hope it's not my scandal in Pittsburgh." Ronald laughed.

Cynthia leaned slightly to the side, away from Frank's arm a little bit. After she got the female number one, she realized that it was the director's younger brother who fell in love with him.

Frank Stallone was originally in the mixed music circle. He did some soundtrack work for his brother's "Rocky" and also released a single, but there was no response.

This time my brother became the director, so I called him up immediately, not only let him be in charge of all the episodes and soundtracks of the movie, but also gave him a supporting actor, Jackie played by Cynthia, who was hurt by Tony Manero played by Travolta After graduation, find his character to be a backup boyfriend.

"No, she said that you took good care of their group performances, and you have to find a way to thank you." Frank Stallone looks a bit like his brother Sylvester, but he doesn't have the feeling of his brother's male hormones.

"Let me introduce to you. This is Ronald Lee, who also participated in the screenwriting work of this film. He is my good friend." His brother Stallone put his arms around Ronald and introduced to the reporters who came to interview him.

Then he whispered in Ronald's ear, "Smile", and pressed Ronald's shoulders down hard.

Ronald squatted down a little bit with interest, so that the height difference was not so obvious.He then tilted his head back slightly, allowing Stallone to do the famous Rocky punch himself, posing as if he was hit in the jaw by heavyweight champion Rocky, and let reporters take pictures.

This famous action movie star has to show who is the master here everywhere on the set.

"Hey", Ronald who was in a daze was stabbed by Stallone.

Stallone rolled up his sleeves again and put his fist under his chin in a bicep-flavoring pose.

Ronald understood, and squatted down lightly, imitating that posture and doing the same movement.

"Good boy", Stallone finished posing, dismissed the reporters, and patted Ronald, "You look like us Italians, do you have Italian blood?"

"I'm an orphan, and may or may not have been."

"There must be, otherwise Nisita won't sign you." Stallone was very excited, and he dragged Ronald to the trailer, wanting to have a drink with him, talking about the power of Italians in Hollywood along the way.

Ronald was annoyed when he heard that, the star was obviously a bit overconfident, but with two leading actors in the super hit series, no one could say anything, so he had to deal with it.

"Come on, Frank, we're friends, but..."

When they were embarrassed, a female voice came from the trailer next to them. Ronald and Stallone looked back, and Cynthia Rhodes came out of his brother Frank's trailer.

"Frank!" Stallone stopped his younger brother who was entangled with Cynthia.

"I, Sly, Cynthia, she..."

"Italians don't need to force girls like this, understand?" Star Stallone was dissatisfied with his brother's performance.

"Cynthia, my brother said you are his girlfriend?" Half of Stallone's facial muscles can't move very much, so when he speaks seriously, he has a lot of deterrence.

"I, I..." Cynthia Rhodes was a little scared, and couldn't speak clearly.Of course she felt what Frank Stallone meant for her, but this was just a girl's normal reaction to the pursuit, and she didn't agree to exchange herself for the role.

"Cynthia, did you promise Frank something before you got the role?" Ronald stepped forward and stood beside her, "Don't worry and speak slowly."

"I... I was just recommended by you to audition for the ensemble role. This movie has a lot of dance roles. The audition director asked me to go back and prepare for the dancers after the song and dance line, but the next day he called and said, Let me try Try Jackie. I was called back to audition for Jackie, and there was a video at that time, you can watch it."

"Frank?" Stallone looked at this useless younger brother. This kind of thing must be discussed clearly, or you have the ability to pursue it yourself. What is it like today. "

"It was a misunderstanding, Cynthia. I think Frank probably drank a little bit of wine just now, he was a little drunk, and his actions were a little louder." Ronald saw the mystery, probably Frank Stallone took a fancy to Cynthia Rhodes and let her enter auditioned for the lead role.

During the filming of the two, this favor was not revealed. Frank may have wanted to pursue Cynthia with his own charm, but the filming was almost over and he failed, so today's wine is a bit too much.

"I, sorry. Cynthia," Frank whispered.

Stallone was very uncomfortable. As soon as Ronald interrupted, his brother admitted his mistake. This kind of weak behavior does not look like an Italian.Falling head over heels for a woman and helping her get a role is a bit of a disgrace to the last name Stallone.

"Ronald, you're fine."

Stallone patted Ronald on the shoulder, then said to Cynthia Rhodes:
"Before you do something that will shame your parents in the south, quit the film industry quickly."

"Me?" Cynthia was threatened by Stallone's words, and couldn't help but burst into tears.

(End of this chapter)